solo travel

Hi guys,

Just wanted some traval advice for when I go to Oz at the end of the month. Im going alone but staying with parents friends out there in Melbourne. They are a young family and i do not think that they are party type. I will be in Melbourne for about 7 days out of the month that I will be stayin OZ. I'm not going to be staying in any hostels whilst i melbourne and want some advice about meeting people etc. just dont want to go to bar in sit in the corner on my own!!! Also any other general solo travel tips that you guys have would be fantastic.

Cheers

Tom

[mcmbenjamin]

You can meet a good lot of folks at hostels but you will not be staying at any. Most of the baseBackpacker hostels have bars with young folks. Check them out - basebackpackers.com

truth be told the hostel scene is pretty dead in melbourne and so is the night life. Is there no chance you'll be going else where?

hahaha i hope thats not the case belfast

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by BelfastFlyer
truth be told the hostel scene is pretty dead in melbourne and so is the night life. Is there no chance you'll be going else where?

Huh. I was under the impression that the St. Kilda area off Melbourne was nice and sorta the up and coming area....

St Kilda is very nice and trendy and the nightlife is pretty cool. South Yarra (Toorak St, Church St and Commercial Rd) has plenty of late night bars, restaurants and clubs too.

A lot of hostels and specialist youth companies tend to organise day or night trips out. In Melbourne I guess this would be to places such as Philip Island or the Great Ocean Road or the Neighbours set. It might be worth a bit of research as you will then meet up with lots of other travellers.

Jonathan

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by Strawberry Muppet
St Kilda is very nice and trendy and the nightlife is pretty cool. South Yarra (Toorak St, Church St and Commercial Rd) has plenty of late night bars, restaurants and clubs too.

You seam to know a lot about Melbourne. Tell us the jouicy bits.

Originally posted by stoneflyer
hahaha i hope thats not the case belfast

well, I spent a week there and ran out of worthy night clubs/bars after 2 days.

But that mau just be me, there are some great areas in melbourne just not night life mad

[preiffer]

Tom,

Maybe some of these might help [:w]

Originally posted by jtlc2345
A lot of hostels and specialist youth companies tend to organise day or night trips out. In Melbourne I guess this would be to places such as Philip Island or the Great Ocean Road or the Neighbours set.

I travelled Oz extensively (solo) and this worked for me. Just pop into a hostel and ask any of the staff for a pointer - they'll all help and will give you an inside track of what is regarded as the best trip/event/night out.

Alcohol always aids the social interaction.....

[}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)]

Hi

From what I have seen there is no issue about travelling solo here - there will be loads of people in your situation.

The natives are quite friendly here and imo will talk to anyone - specially when alcohol is served. My understanding is the younger set who stay in hostels - I have matured to my late 30s and now stay in hotels - tend to congregate in St Kilda. At least that is where the backpackers who have worked here stay.

Depending on where you are staying, suburb, will depend on how easy it is to get around.

Enjoy your visit. At least the weather is improving now.

If you have any specific questions, what to do/see in and around Mel,or anything else I can help with pm me.

Rob

Personally, when I lived in Melbourne a few years ago I didn't find the nightlife in the city centre that appealing - I preferred to go out of the city around South Yarra and Prahan which was more "happening". Having been back last year I noticed they've made Federation Square, the Crown Casino and the surrounding Southbank area more trendy, which is okay I guess. I still prefer the suburbs for nightlife.

Don't be afraid to go in a club on your own, that's where you'll likely meet some hot aussies (I never went to any English-style pubs as I had no intention of meeting any Brits). But do check the closing times as some bars and clubs tend to shut earlier than , for example, those in Sydney. You certainly won't run out of choice in a week, that's for sure. Melbourne is a cool and hip city.